Men's Lacrosse Rules Committee
August 8-11/San Diego

In addition to the rules changes cited in the accompanying article, the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Rules Committee recommended the following rules changes for 2004-05. The changes were approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel.

• Rule 1-2, A.R. 3, Playing Field. New A.R. 3: "Officials arrive at the game site and notice that field markings in Rule 1-2-a do not conform to the 'Lacrosse Field of Play' diagram or are of incorrect dimensions. Ruling: Officials notify Team A head coach. 1. No penalty will be assessed if corrections are made before designated game time; 2. Technical foul (visiting team awarded ball) will be assessed if corrections delay the start of the game; 3. Three-minute full-time penalty (no face-off) if Team A coach is unable or refuses to make corrections. Officials should notify their district assigner."

• Rule 1-10, Table Area, Team Benches. Add: "It is recommended that this table be elevated."

• Rule 1-19, Note 2, Crosse Construction. Change to read: "All hollow crosse handles must have their exposed ends adequately covered with plastic, rubber or tape to prevent injury. The use of metal caps (for example, bottle caps) are prohibited."

• Rule 2-11, Chief Bench Official. The committee voted to remove this position from the rules book. It was removed from NCAA championships last season and the position is rarely used in college games.

• Rule 2-12, Timekeeper and 2-13, Scorer. Add that the timekeeper and scorer "are recommended to be at the field 20 minutes before the start of the game."

• Rule 4-5-g, Note, Play of the Ball -- Ball in flight. Changed to read: "...have not been in possession during the flight of the ball, regardless of whether the ball is caught by a teammate."

• Rule 4-5-h, A.R. 26, Play of the Ball -- Clear. Changed to read: "A1 passes to teammate A2. While the ball is in flight, B1 commits (1) technical foul or (2) personal foul. Ruling: (1) Technical foul, play on mechanics. (2) Slow whistle is used. When the whistle is blown, the ball is awarded to Team A and B1 serves the proper penalty time (treat as possession foul)."

• Add new Rule 4-19-e, Goalkeeper Privileges: "During the course of play if a goalkeeper's stick becomes broken or any other required equipment becomes broken or dislodged, play shall be suspended immediately."